Natasha Boddy and Henry Belot

A popular and respected ACT government media adviser has died in a bus crash while on holidays in Bolivia.

Tributes have flowed for Canberran Kurt Steel, 25, who was one of several tourists who died when their bus crashed on its way to La Paz after a trip to the scenic Salar de Uyuni salt flats in south west Bolivia on Saturday.

Another Australian was injured in the crash. Media reports indicated at least nine people died and another 24 - including Germans, Italians, Swiss, Canadians, Chileans and Peruvians - were injured.

The crash also claimed the life of the bus driver.

Mr Steel, who was from Braddon, had been touring South America with friends since early August.

His devastated family have thanked people for their support.

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"The family and Kurt's friends are devastated by the news," they said in a statement.

"We thank everyone for their messages of support, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their assistance during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with other families with relatives involved.

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"We love you Kurt and we'll miss you forever. You were so happy and full of life every moment we spent with you."

Mr Steel grew up in Canberra, attending Melrose High School and Canberra College, before studying at the University of Canberra, where he was heavily involved with the University of Canberra Student Association.

He went on to work for NSW Labor politician Steve Whan, before joining the office of ACT Treasurer and deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, where he worked as a media adviser.

Mr Steel was well-respected by those who knew him and was seen as an up-and-coming star in the local ALP and he regularly served as a deal-maker for the right.

In a statement, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Mr Barr spoke of their sadness at Mr Steel's death, saying he would be sorely missed and impossible to replace.

"He was a natural leader who always had a smile on his face and took a positive approach to work and life," they said.

"Our thoughts are with his family and also with those who have been affected by this tragic accident."

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Steel was a popular and hugely respected member of the Labor team.

"His passion for Labor and our party's cause was truly awesome," he said.

"This is incredibly sad news. He'll be missed by so many of us."

Mr Whan said Mr Steel was a very talented and wonderful friend and colleague and he was "committed, cheerful and always full of life".

"Kurt's tragic death in Bolivia has taken from all of us someone who had only just started to show the world what a contribution he could make," he said.

"You don't find many people with Kurt's loyalty and generosity of spirit, he had already achieved a lot but he was a person everyone who got to know him, knew would have gone on to make a great contribution."

ACT opposition leader Jeremy Hanson said Mr Steel was aways a familiar face around the Legislative Assembly and would be sorely missed.

"On behalf of the opposition, I express my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Steel," he said.

Friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Steel, with many remembering him as a rising talent who would be missed.